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Soil, Compost & Mulch

what type of soil layers when leveling (2 feet of additional soil)

8 years ago

i'm leveling my back yard - raising one side by about 2 feet - and hence am adding a lot of new soil. recommendation on best approach? I need to give specific instructions to my general renovation contractor who is doing this. Can this all be top soil? SHould i specify any sand or other mixes, top coat of organic compost?

many thanks

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Comments (6)

gardengal48 (PNW Z8/9)
8 years ago
For filling or leveling an area of any size, fill or topsoil will be your least expensive option. But the exact specs on 'topsoil' will vary widely depending on source and may not be the best material for serious gardening. What do you plant to grow in this area? Adding a quantity of compost or other OM is probably a good plan regardless. Shoot for about a 15-20 percentage of OM for the top 6-8 inches of soil. Less is OK too but I tend to err to the higher end as OM does not hang around long :-))
kimmq
8 years ago
What do you have for soil there presently? You may want to match that as closely as possible. Fill dirt and "topsoil"are not the same thing and should not be used interchangeably. "Topsoil" is the top 6 to 12 inches of soil from someplace and is not a magic elixir for anything. I have posted this article many times but some never seem to learn from it.

http://msue.anr.msu.edu/news/the_shocking_truth_about_topsoil

Below about 8 inches there is no need to put anything except some subsoil because that soil will not support much life due to lack of adequate air. You do want some clean, no debris, fill soil for that first 16 to 18 inches and the least expensive material you can get. Then look for some really good soil, something like about 45 percent sand, 25 percent silt, 25 percent clay and 5 percent organic matter for the last 6 to 8 inches.

kimmq is kimmsr
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toxcrusadr
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I would avoid investing in 2 ft of quality topsoil. Use subsoil as fill and top with topsoil. You might even consider stripping the current topsoil (if there is any), add a foot or more of cheaper subsoil as fill, then replace the topsoil. If the topsoil is thin or nonexistent, leave space to add more on top. If you want a nice planting bed maybe a foot of topsoil (including compost amendment if the topsoil is low in organic matter) would be good but 2 feet is overkill.
j h
Original Author
8 years ago
Thanks all. There is going to be grass in this area so these seem like great ideas.

Kimmq, i don't know how to buy truckloads of dirt and i'm going to be relaying a requirement to my contractor here... You think i should just spec you mix (45 percent sand, 25 percent silt, 25 percent clay and 5 percent organic), or does one generally spec topsoil, then ask to include the addititives?
toxcrusadr
8 years ago
Usually you will not be able to specify percentages. kimmq is giving you the formula for a perfect loam, but it rarely occurs. You can get amended topsoil that has compost or manure mixed in. Sometimes a 'super garden mix' that has even more of that. I'm not sure you need that for a lawn. If you're working with a contractor they should know what is available and what will work in your area. I would make sure they know you want a good topsoil though, not something full of debris, rocks, and weed seeds. Occasionally there are horror stories of broken glass fragments, bindweed, smelly pond muck, etc. If possible, go look at what he is planning to use. If it seems very low in organic matter (i.e. not dark and rich but pretty barren looking soil), you may want ask him get a load of compost to mix in. That's my 2 cents.
kimmq
8 years ago
last modified: 8 years ago
If you find the right soil supplier (and it takes some research) you can specify what you want. But always go and look at what is being sold and never simply order some "topsoil" over the phone. We had a garden center here where the owner had a large mixing tub and would mix soil for you, but not many places will or do.

Asking someone for some ephemeral substance as "topsoil" or even "garden soil" a waste of time and energy. If you stick to what you want and tell the sales person if you cannot supply what I want I will go elsewhere they will find what you want.

We will only get what we want if we demand it.

kimmq is kimmsr

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